Hopefully we can go on and win the Christy Ring

19 Apr 2012

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LUCK, a force that brings good fortune or adversity. In Kildare’s case it was good fortune last Sunday and defender Paudie Reidy was happy to take the rub of the green and the Division 2B title at the expense of Meath at Parnell Park, writes Ruth O’Brien.

LUCK, a force that brings good fortune or adversity. In Kildare’s case it was good fortune last Sunday and defender Paudie Reidy was happy to take the rub of the green and the Division 2B title at the expense of Meath at Parnell Park, writes Ruth O’Brien.

“We made hard work of it in the first half, we talked hard at half time and Willie laid out the plan. We got in to it in the second half and got a bit of luck,” admitted the Buffer’s Alley club man.

Sunday’s victory will give the Lilies much confidence ahead of their opening Christy Ring Cup decider and Reidy has set his sights on another trophy.

“You always get a good battle against Meath. They are a very good team and we’ll probably see them in the Christy Ring. We’re going to get ready for the first round against Derry now and that’s the most important thing. We’ll be in it to win it, that’s what we’re here for and that’s the one we want,” he remarked.

Kildare hurling might not be as glamorous as Kildare football is due to the level at which they play but the current crop of players are putting in a massive effort in their bid for championship glory. One trophy has already been secured and Reidy is hoping that such success will raise the profile of hurling in the county even more.

“It’s great to win something and in fairness we get well looked after. We’ve a great County Board but you have to earn respect and winning titles earns respect. It also gets you up the ladder and the kids here with the Kildare jerseys on will be able to see us winning titles and hopefully go on and get them hurling. Next year we’ll be in Division 2, there will be far more high profile games and that’s what we’re here for.

“The kids are the future of this game in Kildare though and there’s young lads like Danny Butler, Martin Fitzgerald and Gerry Keegan and this is their platform now for them to drive on. We have good young lads coming through,” said Reidy.

Kildare didn’t play well last Sunday, Reidy is well aware of that, but in times gone by the Lilies would have wilted under pressure but that trait is slowly disappearing much to the betterment of hurling in the Shortgrass county.

“Hopefully now we can go on and win the Christy Ring and get in to the Leinster proper because that’s where we want to be. We want to be up there with the footballers. That’s our goal, it will take time but we’ll work hard at it.

“Playing bad, which we did today, and still winning and getting scores at the crucial times is very important. They won’t be classed as classics but it’s hard work trying to create goals and Tony (Murphy) and Martin (Fitzgerald) did well. We had our share of bad luck so we’ll take anything. Kildare in general have had bad luck so we’re delighted,” admitted the Kildare defender.

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